RUN Welcomes Turnbull Ministry

The Chair of RUN, Prof Jan Thomas, warmly welcomed Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham as the new Minister for Education and Training, and The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, as the new Minister for Industry, Innovation, and Science.

“Both the education and industry portfolios are critical for the higher education sector. RUN urges the ministers to work closely together to ensure the ongoing sustainability of higher education, research and science policy and funding for Australia’s future,” Professor Thomas said.

“We congratulate The Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP on his appointment as Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck as Minister for Tourism and International Education, The Hon Karen Andrews MP’s ongoing role as Assistant Minister for Science, and Mr Wyatt Roy MP’s appointment as Assistant Minister for Innovation.

“RUN acknowledges the contribution of the outgoing Minister for Industry and Science, The Hon Ian Macfarlane MP.

“We welcome the addition of water to the agriculture portfolio, under the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, and the appointment of Senator Anne Ruxton as Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. RUN universities have recently formed a research flagship, Water Landscape Futures, which will take a multi-disciplinary approach. We hope that the new ministerial arrangements will enable the development of synergies between agriculture and water, and that researchers from our universities can contribute to this work.

“RUN congratulates the Deputy Prime Minister, The Hon Warren Truss MP, on his continued appointment as Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. We note the appointment of The Hon Jamie Briggs MP as Minister for Cities and the Built Environment, and urge the ministers to work together to maximise the benefits for all Australians, regardless of where they live.

“The appointment of Senator The Hon Fiona Nash as Minister for Rural Health is a welcome recognition of the health needs of regional Australians.

“We further congratulate the other appointees to the Turnbull Government’s Ministry.”

Contact: Dr Caroline Perkins

Executive Director, Regional Universities Network, 0408 482 736

Find out more about the Regional Universities Network at www.run.edu.au Follow us on: Twitter: @RegUniNet Facebook: www.facebook.com/RegionalUniversitiesNetwork